Moldova aims to reduce reliance on poultry imports
In 2011, Moldova imported 18,000 tonnes of poultry meat, equivalent to 25-27% of the total market share. The largest poultry producers in the country however, think that with public support this figure could be reduced by three times.
In 2011, Moldova imported 18,000 tonnes of poultry meat, which was equivalent of 25-27% of the total “18,000 tonnes of cheap and low quality poultry is too much. Currently for Moldova, 4,000 will be enough while 6,000 tonnes should be the maximum,” said Ion Bizgu, CEO of the state scientific-production enterprise Avicola-Moldova. According to experts, the goal to decrease imports is reachable, but significant support from the state is needed. The government is actively investing in the re-equipment of local producers. However, Bizgu believes that the signing of the “Agreement on deep and comprehensive trade with EU countries” will bring a lot of problems for local manufacturers of poultry products. This agreement may be signed already in the middle of this year.
“We understand that with the signing of the Agreement, our poultry farmers will face tough competition from producers from Hungary, Romania, Germany, Belgium and, the leader of this industry – the Netherlands. Currently we are actively rebuilding the plants, restructuring the new cutting-edge technology and equipment, purchasing new crosses both in the egg and poultry producing directions. But we are only in the beginning of catching up with industry leaders. However, local poultry farmers need some more time to complete the conversion of factories and become a serious competitor to foreign competitors,” said the CEO.
Experts estimate that the active re-equipment of the poultry production facilities, which is currently happening in Moldova, will reflect in the growth rates of production in early 2013. It is projected that growth in output of the domestic enterprises will be amounted to 20-30%, or 14,000 – 15,000 tonnes, resulting in lower prices, increase of domestic consumption, and a decreasing share of imports.
